forthright

1 of 3

adjective

forth·​right ˈfȯrth-ˌrīt 

1

: free from ambiguity or evasiveness : going straight to the point

a forthright critic

was forthright in appraising the problem

2

: notably simple in style or quality

forthright furniture

3

archaic : proceeding straight on

forthrightly adverb

forthrightness noun

forthright

2 of 3

adverb

1

archaic

a

: directly forward

b

: without hesitation : frankly

2

archaic : at once

forthright

3 of 3

noun

archaic

: a straight path

Synonyms

Adjective

• candid
• direct
• forthcoming
• foursquare
• frank
• free-spoken
• freehearted
• honest
• open
• openhearted
• out-front
• outspoken
• plain
• plainspoken
• straight
• straightforward
• unguarded
• unreserved
• up-front

Examples of forthright in a Sentence

Adjective

she sometimes was a little too forthright for her own good and ended up saying things that inadvertently offended people

I appreciate your forthright explanation of the situation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

On his own Instagram account Sunday, Isaac Hayes III elaborated more forthright reasons for trying to distance his father’s work from the Trump campaign. —Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Aug. 2024

Even so, O'Connor has committed to being forthright with the president about any troubling medical observations. —Lucien Bruggeman, ABC News, 18 July 2024

As Holmes, Kristen Peacock is forthright without being totally obnoxious. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 Feb. 2024

The Biden administration has also been increasingly forthright about the growing threat of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. —Elbridge Colby, Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English, from Old English forthriht, from forth + riht right

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1606, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

forthright

adjective

forth·​right

ˈfōrth-ˌrīt,

ˈfȯrth-

: going straight to the point clearly and firmly

a forthright answer

forthrightly adverb

forthrightness noun